Hull to France
by Ferry
Skip the long drive south. Sail overnight from Hull to Rotterdam and wake up ready to drive straight into France
France is within three hours’ drive after arrival.
Heading to France from Hull
The ferry from Hull to France has long been a popular choice for travellers from northern England heading to mainland Europe by car, motorbike or on foot.
Although there is no longer a direct ferry from Hull to France, the Hull to Rotterdam route now offers similar convenience. With light traffic, you can drive from Rotterdam to the French border in under three hours, making it one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to start your journey south.
Hull to Rotterdam to France
Travelling from northern England or Scotland, P&O Ferries operates overnight sailings from Hull to Rotterdam. This route avoids the long drive to southern England where most ferries to France depart. You drive on board in the evening, spend the night in a cabin, and disembark in the Netherlands the next morning ready to continue your journey into France.
Drive times from Rotterdam
From Rotterdam, it’s easy to continue your journey south. Belgium is just a short drive away, and within a few hours, you can find yourself in France.
| Destination | Driving time |
|---|---|
| Lille | 2 hrs 45 mins |
| Paris | 5 hrs |
| Lyon | 8 hrs 30 mins |
| Bordeaux | 9 hrs 30 mins |
| Nice (Côte d’Azur) | 11–12 hrs |
Previously possible, but long discontinued
The former Hull to Le Havre ferry
The direct ferry from Hull to Le Havre in France was the last direct passenger service between Hull and France. As demand declined and freight traffic shifted to other routes, the service was withdrawn.
- Operator: various companies over the years, including North Sea Ferries during the 1980s and 1990s.
- Active: until around the mid-1990s.
For many years, the Hull to Zeebrugge route to Belgium was considered a good alternative, but this service was also discontinued in March 2020.
Today, Hull to Rotterdam offers the best alternative for travellers heading to France. The other option is to drive to the south of England and sail from ports such as Dover or Portsmouth, but that involves a much longer drive before and after the crossing.
Quick navigation:
At Hull-Rotterdam.com, we provide all the essential information about the crossing. Continue reading on our website to learn more about the ferry trip and prepare to board with complete peace of mind.
Discover the live timetable from Hull to Rotterdam or from Rotterdam to Hull.
Get clear directions to the port of Rotterdam or the port of Hull, including parking options.
Discover all the things you can do on board the Pride of Hull and the Pride of Rotterdam.
Some time left after arriving at the port of Rotterdam?
Just 30 minutes from the port of Rotterdam, you’ll find a great family outing: Kinderdijk. This UNESCO World Heritage site is famous for its 19 iconic windmills, built to manage water levels in the Dutch polders. Families can enjoy a relaxing walk or bike ride along the canals, watching the windmills in action and spotting ducks and swans along the way.
- 30 min. from port